Hierarchical Structural Engineering of Ultrahigh-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene

Abstract

Nature has inspired the design of next-generation lightweight architectured structural materials, for example, nacre-bearing extreme impact and paw-pad absorbing energy. Here, a bioinspired functional gradient structure, consisting of an impact-resistant hard layer and an energy-absorbing ductile layer, is applied to additively manufacture ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Its crystalline graded and directionally solidified structure enables superior impact resistance. In addition, we demonstrate nonequilibrium processing, ultrahigh strain rate pulsed laser shock wave peening, which could trigger surface hardening for enhanced crystallinity and polymer phase transformation. Moreover, we demonstrate the paw-pad-inspired soft- and hard-fiber-reinforced composite structure to absorb the impact energy. The bioinspired design and nonequilibrium processing of graded UHMWPE shed light on lightweight engineering polymer materials for impact-resistant and threat-protection applications.

Unveiling the Potential of Rice Straw Nanofiber-Reinforced HDPE for Biomedical Applications: Investigating Mechanical and Tribological Characteristics

“…The X-ray diffractograms exhibit two prominent peaks corresponding to the diffraction planes (110) and (200) of the orthorhombic unit cell. These peaks were observed at approximately 21.46 • and 23.8 • , respectively [34]. The presence of these peaks in the RSNFs provides evidence of a semicrystalline manner, indicating the coexistence of both amorphous and crystalline zones in the cellulose [35].…”

Solution-shearing of dielectric polymer with high thermal conductivity and electric insulation

“…Figure 3B shows the stress versus strain curves of flexible SUPE films. With increasing the shearing speed from 5 to 60 mm/s, the yield strength of SUPE films increases from 11 to 17 MPa caused by the polymer chain alignment (28).…”

“…Figure 3B shows the stress versus strain curves of flexible SUPE films. With increasing the shearing speed from 5 to 60 mm/s, the yield strength of SUPE films increases from 11 to 17 MPa caused by the polymer chain alignment ( 28 ). The failure strengths increase from 19.5 to 24 MPa, and the failure strains of films increase from 720 to 950%, smaller than those with speed of 5, and 60 mm/s with strains of 920 and 950%, respectively, which are caused by highly aligned polymer chains.…”

Exploring interfacial interactions, dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene/graphene oxide nanocomposites

“…Ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), a semi‐crystalline thermoplastic polymer, exhibits extraordinary chemical inertness, hardness, durability, impact and abrasion resistance, and biocompatibility 1 which makes it a favorable material to be used in diverse industrial, civil, marine, military and biomedical domains 2–6 . With an attempt to improve the longevity and stability of the UHMWPE based medical implants and other commercialized devices, various nanomaterials are incorporated into the polymer matrix to develop UHMWPE based nanocomposites 7–9 …”